There haven't been too many missteps from the boys in blue and gold this early season, but Saturday was one of them. It's super easy to say after a 5-0 loss, but even with three off-days ahead, Patrick Lalime should've spelled Ryan Miller between the pipes.
The way the Sabres played, it wouldn't have made a big deal on the bottom line. The skaters' focus had loss written all over it, but the prospect of Ryan Miller as American Olympic goaltender is looming. Even with the Olympics in the "West Coast road trip" area of Vancouver, it will still likely be an extra handful of games for Miller while the rest of the league's netminders are getting rest.
The Sabres' November is set for one night off per week for Miller, especially with the number of solid teams on the schedule (Philadelphia thrice, Washington, Calgary). They play Wednesday, Friday, Saturday all month. Lindy Ruff could hand-pick the nights off well in advance, and probably has. If I'm the head coach, I play Lalime at least thrice this month (all at home):
Nov. 4 vs. Islanders
Nov. 11 vs. Oilers
Nov. 28 vs. Carolina
You could convince me Nov. 18 vs. Florida, but I know the home fans want to see Miller...
By the way, these are the 12 teams playing Olympic ice hockey. The States' group includes Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
Belarus
Canada
Czech Republic
Finland
Latvia
Norway
Russia
Slovakia
Sweden
Switzerland
United States
Every year come March since we traded Biron, I've heard analysts say that they overplay Miller, I've heard Lindy say that they're going to address the problem every offseason, and every year they do the same thing again. Lalime might not be the greatest backup in the world, and I'm not exactly buzzing with joy that he might play a heavy amount of games with the Olympics. But if you don't play him more, it's the same story as the last 2 years. We already know what happens when the backup is underplayed (and cold) and Miller is overplayed (and exhausted).
11/02/2009 12:41PM
12 teams?
Only listed 11 Nick, just FYI.
11/02/2009 10:28PM
Re: 12 Teams
Did Germany not qualify?
11/03/2009 3:17PM
Flounder
Germany qualified and is in.
11/03/2009 3:45PM
Germany
Germany is in it, at least according to the Web site I just read.
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